I recently purchased a used 2000 F250 SD, before I took delivery the dealer had to replace one of the ignition coils.

I heard that there is a problem with the ignition coils heating up and failing on several model years of the 5.4L V8.

It raises some questions:

How many coils are there?

How do you know you have coil problems?

How far can I drive when one or more of the coils are dead without doing damage?

Can I block the excess heat some way?

How expensive would it be to upgrade to a performance ignition, and would that solve the problem?

Is there a cheaper fix?

 

I've never really heard of that problem...

Quote:

1. How many coils are there?

2. How do you know you have coil problems?

3. How far can I drive when one or more of the coils are dead without doing damage?

4. Can I block the excess heat some way?

5. How expensive would it be to upgrade to a performance ignition, and would that solve the problem?

6. Is there a cheaper fix?

1. 8
2. A cylinder won't fire.
3. Not very I would think.
4. Not that I'm aware of.
5. Since 5.4L use a coil on plug system and not a ignition system of yore, I would imagine that it would be very difficult. But maybe some one who uses a 5.4L regularly here can shed some more light on the subject.

6. Why? Is it broken now? Maybe the latest coils would be the best bet.

 

I have the 5.4 in my expy as well as my truck and they are both 99 models. The expy has had 3 coils go. There is a TSB for two of those which suggests that changing the t clamp on the heater hose over the #4 coil will fix the prob. I have done this twice now and the vehicle has about 60k miles.

The good news is that the condition is generally worsened by the trucks computer. I dont remember the exact business rule, but esentially the acceleration of the engine is measured and each piston event shoul cause some. If the computer noticed a problem after 1000 or so cycles it will shut down that cyl. Making the engine run really rough. When this happens to me I have found that I can clear the codes and the vehicle will drive normally enoiugh to get me to the ford parts place. where I buy a coil and a spark plug. The reason I replace the plug also is that I jave noticed striping on the plug indicating that the coil arced on the outside of the plug. When this was first repaired under warranty the service manager accused me of washing the engine. Whatever. But, now I try to make sure that I never spary water any where near the engine compartment.

Forgot to add that my truck hos 92k now and has never had a coil go...